Pool noodle menorah for Chanukah

I know it’s not good manners to covet, but when I first laid eyes on my friend (The Bible Belt Balabusta) Joanna’s AWESOME pool noodle and stubby holder chanukiah, I knew I had to own one myself. Lucky for me (and you) she has kindly provided step-by-step instructions for making your own!

I have only a few things to add:

1. As it’s nearly summer in Australia it is extremely easy to find pool noodles. However, as I discovered after purchasing some likely specimens, not all of them will fit into a stubby holder. So I recommend taking a sample stubby holder with you on your noodle buying expedition, otherwise you may find yourself suddenly equipped with a couple of extra Chanukah gifts to give away.

2. I would have loved to use plain coloured stubby holders, but I’m not sure you can actually buy them retail in Australia. I could only find decorated ones, many of very dubious tastefulness. In the end I sought advice from my daughter’s pre-primary teacher, who directed me to an educational art and craft supply store where I was able to find white ones. We might paint them next year.

3. Even my husband, who claims not to like craft of any description, enjoyed helping make this. I bought a piece of pine from Bunnings, 1.2m x 9cm x 1.8cm, he cut off three 9cm lengths to raise the shamash, and put everything together.

4. I made flames out of foam like Joanna’s, but they kept tipping over backwards. I had the idea of wrapping the foam around a popstick, and that helps keep the flame upright.